Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson is looking to sign an extension for the maximum contract length of eight years, reports Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.
However, time is of the essence, as Sept. 15 is the final day for players to sign eight-year contracts. When the new collective bargaining agreement takes effect on Sept. 16, the maximum contract length will drop to seven years for players signing with their current teams, or six years for those signing with new teams as free agents.
While the Senators and Batherson share a mutual interest in an extension, league sources told Garrioch they don't believe the two sides are close to a deal.
Batherson set career highs last season with 33 goals and 71 points in 79 games with the Senators.
Alex Tuch and Adrian Kempe are reportedly considered two contract comparables for Batherson. Tuch joined the Washington Capitals on an eight-year, $84-million pact this offseason as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Kempe inked an eight-year, $85-million extension to stay with the Los Angeles Kings in November 2025.
Batherson is set to enter the final season of a six-year deal carrying an average annual value of $4.975 million. The 28-year-old has averaged 26 goals and 64 points per 82 games in his eight-year NHL career - all with Ottawa.
